Former Helensburgh barman Damien Cook asked to lead Canterbury Bulldogs out of slump

A FORMER Helensburgh barman and NRL battler is the unknown halfback Des Hasler has asked to lead the Bulldogs out of a State of Origin form slump.

Last year, Damien Cook was pulling beers at the Helensburgh Workman’s club. On Sunday he is the anonymous playmaker replacing NSW No.7 Trent Hodkinson in his NRL debut for Bulldogs.

Those close to Cook say his never-give-up attitude and extraordinary dedication helped him rise from a beer puller to a Bulldog.

Damien Cook trains with the Bulldogs.Source:The Daily Telegraph

Cook played two games off the bench for St George Illawarra last year, trained full-time at both the Illawarra Cutters and Dragons, helped coach the Helensburgh Tigers U16s and pulled beers for the locals at the clubs.

“He has worked extremely hard to get where he is,’’ said his father, Graham.

“He was pouring beers, training with the Dragons and Cutters and coaching last year. He was also doing training on his own whenever he had a spare minute. He’s had a lot of knocks and knockbacks over the years and I’m very proud that he’s never given up.’’

The football manager of Cook’s junior team the Helensburgh Tigers said the unknown would make the most of his chance and would not let the Bulldogs down when they take on the Eels at ANZ Stadium.

“He’s a bloody good kid and has always been a stand-out player,’’ said Col Dorn.

“He was always a hooker here but he can play anywhere, and he’s quite experienced for a kid of only 23. He’s been at the Panthers, the Dragons and now the Bulldogs. It’s great to see he’s gotten there because he was serving me beer at the club last year.’’

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